Anybody with a 2001-03 m5??? Buying Advice needed.

[Krunk Man]

My dad has been looking for a 2001-03 m5 with lower miles. (20-40k)
Is there any major changes between these years. Anything i should know about? How do you like your m5.??
PICS are welcome!

I found i nice one in chicago in carbon black.

http://www.foxvalleymotorcarsinvento...BMW&d_model=M5

[X5Jay]

That one right there seems like a good deal for the $$. I'd want to make sure it had an MKIV nav and every option available - but I don't know the details wrt what's good about each year. Carbon black is my favorite color for these machines as well! One of my all time fav cars for sure, but I hear they go through tires and oil like there's no tomorrow! Good luck and keep us posted!

[xnsf]

that's a really good price considering the amount of miles and the year...

[Krunk Man]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

Carbon black is my favorite color for these machines as well!

Moms got a carbon black m3 which looks great, i thought i remember seeing a carbon black x5 custom ordered a while back.

[asawadude]

I owned a E39 540i 6-speed and had often considered buying an M5, but never pulled the trigger on a deal because it wasn't quite the right car for me at the time mostly because I needed a bigger vehicle to haul around my kids. Now that they are older and have their own cars, I might reconsider buying one for myself (I'm probably close to your dad's age).

• The E39 M5's are pretty much unchanged between model years 2001 and 2003. Obviously you should try to find a low mileage car and look for service documentation. Some M5's have special BMW trim options that make the vehicle unique, such as special order interiors and trim. Certain colors, such as Carbon Black, are probably more desirable than other more common colors (Jet Black, TiAg). Don't be afraid of buying a Dinan upgrade model, but do look for Dinan or dealer installation of the Dinan packages instead of owner performed installations.
• These cars are aging out of CPO qualification. There is little benefit to buying from a dealer vs. private party. Now it becomes a matter of finding the right car.
• Go to the M5board.com and do some research on the carbon buildup problem and any other issues that might be of concern.
• TQ2K, Sanguru, DinanM3, and Inlacal are past or present owners of E39 M5's. They are probably a few others. They should have more to add.

Good luck to you and your Dad in your search.

[Driver8]

2001 - 2003 were the best years. Avoid 2000. Check out the BMWCCA classified ads as well. A CPO car is great if you can find one, but as Asawadude noted. the "right" car is a better deal than a CPO car, generally speaking. They are pretty robustly built cars, but as with anything, look for documentation and OCD-level attention to care and maintenance with records. I almost bought a 2001 dark grey over caramel E39 M5 and agonized over it, then ended up taking a sweet 2003 530i. Totally different cars, to be sure, but they shared the same essential goodness. Awesome cars. Good luck!

Mike

[LeMansX5]

Good advice here. Low mileage M5s may have carbon build-up and other issues, so don't buy one which has been a garage queen.

[SANguru]

like others said, carbon buildup issues (especially low mileage cars), brakes wear and MAF sensors, and O2 sensors are typical issues you see on E39 M5's. Otherwise, fairly reliable car. I would find an 03. Last model year, most of the bugs are worked out.

[DINANM3]

Sanguru hit it right. But plan on changing Mafs regularly. Im on my second set. Also dpnt get the volkswagon mafs that alot of people say are identical to oem M5 maps. I tried them and my car did not feel the same. You can clean them too though. Stick with 03 and you should be fine. I never had any other problems with mine. I think the carbon build up issue is for low mileage cars or people that drive like pussies and never redline there cars. I dont have a lot of miles but I drive it hard and redline it when ever i drive it 90% of the time. That is what I bought it for after all.